THISDAY

Gattuso’s Job on Line after Loss to Betis

-

AC Milan boss Gennaro Gattuso accepts his job should be debated after they produced a “terrible, embarrassi­ng performanc­e” against Real Betis.

Milan are 12th in Serie A after a 1-0 injury-time defeat by Inter Milan and followed that with a 2-1 Europa League home defeat to the Spanish side.

“It’s only right that my position is under discussion,” Gattuso, 40, said.

“It’s difficult for a coach to sleep after a performanc­e like this, one of the worst.”

Gattuso, a former midfielder with Milan and Italy, has been in charge of the club - who have not won a major trophy in seven years - since November 2017.

Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport said his job was not in immediate danger, but that Milan’s next three games are crucial.

“I’m worried, disappoint­ed and angry, especially with myself,” he said. “I do not think about my situation, I’m thinking about how to solve this problem.

“I’m the first person responsibl­e for this situation; I’m bound by the results. I train a great club and it is right for me to take responsibi­lity.

“I have to understand who has the right mentality. In some moments we applied nothing which we had prepared. There is too much fear of making mistakes.

“It’s not a question of formations - the team has lost its identity. This performanc­e baffles me. Probably my staff and I were not clear enough, otherwise, we cannot explain this performanc­e. The defeat does not hurt as much as the performanc­e.

“We did not play as AC Milan do. Right now what leaves me more worried is the fragility and the mentality. We must understand why the light suddenly turned off.”

Dr. Bola Atua has emerged overall winner at the Peace Anunah Birthday Golf Kitty held at the Benin Club Golf Section, (BCGS), GRA, Benin City on Thursday.

The former captain of the club against all odds proved his prowess by playing a net score of 75 to win the one day tournament organised by Peace Anunah Golf Buddies in his honour.

Coming second at the tournament was Monday Ikhuregbe with a net score of 78 while Steve Eberetofa placed third with 79 net.

Speaking at the event, the celebrant, who could not hide his joy, thanked all those who out of their busy scheduled deemed it fit to grace the occasion. While he commended his group for the wonderful display of love shown on him.

The highlight of the event was the presentati­on of valuable gift items to those who distinguis­hed themselves at the tournament while members and guests were fully entertaine­d to assorted refreshmen­t.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Nigeria